Following an inspection visit by the Chief Minister, it was found that the ground reality is far from the claim made by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The concerned agencies will need at least one more month to get Connaught Place completely decked up.
The civic agency said all important works of the project has been completed and only minor works are left which will be completed by end of this month. However, it was found that many corridors in the middle and outer circles are still dug up causing much inconvenience to the pedestrians.
Moreover, the much talked about subways are not yet functional. The work of installation of escalators, which have been imported from China, in the two new subways — one located at Barakhamba Road and another in front Statesman House — are yet to be completed. Besides, much of its dividers are grossly lacking green cover and have granite slabs already coming out of them. CCTV cameras and public amenities are yet to be addressed too.
With a budget of over Rs 671 crore and more than five years over, the long pending project comprised of four categories: facade restoration — surface area development, including parking area and public plaza — service corridor in the middle circle and upgradation of existing subways and construction of new subways in the outer circle.
Explaining the work done under façade restoration, AK Mishra, spokesperson of the NDMC said, “Façade restoration work is completed in all 14 blocks, which include Regal Building and P-Block. The middle circle is developed, and now has a concrete road with red sandstone footpath on both sides to enhance the heritage look of CP. The most user-friendly feature of the project is that we have interconnected the corridors of the blocks through ‘table tops’ for smooth pedestrian movements from block to block,” he added.
However, on visiting the place one would still see workers giving finishing touches to the area.
Mishra further said, “We have completed it by providing granite stone flooring in public plazas and also by adding street furniture, planters. Twenty public toilets designed for the differently-abled and five garbage stations in all the three circles combined are now open.”
But, laying of slabs to make new pavements are still going on in the outer and middle circles.